Lincoln United missed out on the chance to progress to the final of the Lincolnshire Senior County Cup, as they lost 3-1 to Boston United at the Sun-Hat Villas & Resorts Stadium.
The Whites went into the semi-final clash on fine form, looking to extend their unbeaten run to six games in all competitions.
Interim manager Dave Frecklington made three changes to the side that beat Bishop Auckland 1-0, with Lewis Smalley, Andy Janssen and a trialist all coming in to the starting 11.
A slow start
After a slow first 20 minutes, the visitors came closest to opening the scoring as former Tottenham Hotspur right back Marcel Lavinier played in Pereira who did well to cut inside before sending his powerful strike just wide of the far post.
It would be a long wait for the next chance of the game to come, arriving in the 34th when Harvey Cribb poked the ball square for Janssen who had an empty net in front of him, however a group of bodies were quick to get in the way to block any sort of shot.
United would keep up the pressure towards the end of the half, with Alan Power coming agonisingly close just two minutes later – striking the crossbar from a free-kick.
A moment to forget for Heath Richardson in the last minute of the half lead to the opening goal of the semi-final. United’s shot-stopper took a tumble and presented Liam Waldock with an open goal for him to tap the ball home to give Boston a 1-0 lead before the break.
Not to be for United
Just one minute into the half goalscorer Waldock came close yet again for the Pilgrims as he tried to slot the ball into the bottom left corner on the volley, but it bounced wide from 18-yards out.
A deserved equaliser came United’s way just over ten minutes into the half as Lewis Smalley showed excellent composure in the box, receiving the ball then taking a touch and heading the ball past Boston’s goalkeeper for 1-1.
A moment of madness led to a penalty for the visitors as was a Boston attacker was bundled down in the box. Substitute Luca Alonzi stepped up to take the spot kick, forcing the ball into the net despite Richardson getting a strong hand to the strike.
Fast-forward to the last minute of the game, a headed chance nearly saw United captain Dye equalise but his effort was well saved. Frecklington’s side were then made to pay the price as Alonzi netted his second goal of the night at the other end for 3-1.
That late goal meant United were eliminated from the Lincolnshire Senior County Cup, missing out on a clash against Grimsby Town in the final.